STEM Research Stipend Program Expands: Six More Universities Selected
The Ministry of Science and ICT, together with the National Research Foundation of Korea, has announced the expansion of the STEM Research Stipend Program to include six additional universities. The program provides graduate students with a stable financial foundation so they can focus on their research without economic hardship. Beginning next month, the newly selected universities will start offering monthly stipends of 800,000 KRW for master’s students and 1.1 million KRW for doctoral students. With this expansion, a total of 35 universities and approximately 50,000 students will benefit in 2024.
📌 Newly Selected Universities
- Kyungpook National University
- Kyung Hee University
- Kookmin University
- Sookmyung Women’s University
- Ajou University
- Chung-Ang University
These six institutions were chosen in the second round of evaluations, joining 29 universities already participating since April. Each selected university will receive tailored consulting and guidelines to ensure smooth implementation of the stipend program.
💡 Program Overview
The STEM Research Stipend Program is designed to help graduate students concentrate fully on their academic and research activities by reducing financial stress. Key details include:
- Minimum stipend of 800,000 KRW per month for master’s students
- Minimum stipend of 1.1 million KRW per month for doctoral students
- Development of integrated student-researcher management systems at each university
- Consulting and operational guidelines provided by the National Research Foundation
By ensuring stable living conditions, the program aims to enhance the quality of research and strengthen Korea’s global competitiveness in science and technology.
📊 Scale and Impact
Since June, the first cohort of 29 universities has been providing stipends. With the addition of six more schools, both the number of supported institutions and the number of student beneficiaries will rise significantly.
- Total participating universities: 35
- Total supported graduate students: approx. 50,000
- Additional beneficiaries: around 6,000 new recipients
This expansion ensures that more graduate students will be able to carry out their research in a financially secure environment, boosting both academic output and innovation potential.
⚠️ Future Plans
The Ministry and the National Research Foundation will continue to provide individual consulting and guideline workshops for newly selected universities to ensure seamless implementation. They also plan to expand the program further, making stipends accessible to even more students in the coming years.
Details on the second round of selections and future schedules are available via the Integrated Research Support System (IRIS, iris.go.kr) and the National Research Foundation website (nrf.re.kr).
❓ FAQ
1. Who is eligible for the research stipend?
Graduate students (both master’s and doctoral) enrolled in STEM fields at participating universities.
2. How much financial support is provided?
At least 800,000 KRW per month for master’s students and 1.1 million KRW per month for doctoral students.
3. How are universities selected?
Through a two-step evaluation process involving eligibility review and selection assessment.
4. How many students benefit in 2024?
Approximately 50,000 graduate students across 35 universities will receive stipends this year.
5. Where can more details be found?
Information is posted on the IRIS system and the official National Research Foundation website.
🚀 Conclusion
The STEM Research Stipend Program marks a significant step toward ensuring financial stability for graduate students in Korea’s science and engineering fields. With the inclusion of six new universities, the program now covers 35 institutions and 50,000 students nationwide. This initiative is expected to foster a stronger research environment and enhance Korea’s position in global scientific innovation. The government plans to continue expanding this support system so that more students can pursue research freely and effectively.